William Grow Smith

WILLIAM G. SMITH one of the most prominent businessmen of Montgomery county, died February 19, 1899, at his residence No. 1039 Willow street, Norristown. He was born in Lower Merion township, on December 18, 1823, and was the only child of J. Henry and Catherine (Grow) Smith. His father died when the son was fourteen years old and he supported his mother. He started out in life as a poor boy and worked himself up to his high standing in later years by hard work and business qualifications. He was a lifelong Democrat and filled various political positions from time to time. He served twenty-one years as a school director, twelve years in Lower Merion and nine years in Norriton. He also served as road supervisor in each township and as auditor. He also served one term as county commissioner, having been elected in 1866. He married Catharine A., daughter of Thomas Vaughan, of Lower Merion, on July 22, 1847, and celebrated with his wife their golden wedding in July, 1897, in the midst of their family, numbering eight children, with a dozen or more grandchildren. Their children are Henry C. Smith, of Norristown; Mary, wife of Henry L. Fretz, Norristown; Clare, wife of Roy Hagaman; Anna, wife of Jesse Shoemaker, Whitpain; Emma, wife of Daniel Yost, Worcester; Sarah Elizabeth, wife of Charles Carn, Philadelphia; ex-councilman Thos. V. Smith and Miss Josephine Smith, Norristown. He was for many years one of the most prominent contractors in the county, and a number of county bridges were built by him. During the last ten years of his life, in partnership with his son Thomas V., he made a specialty of laying concrete pavements and similar work.